SpaceX Selected by NASA for Artemis Moon Mission

A view of the topography and construction site at Boca Chica, Texas, near Boca Chica Beach at SpaceX Starship Assembly Site Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2019, as SpaceX constructs their new test vehicle known as Starship SN1. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald via AP)

NASA named SpaceX as one of three U.S. companies selected to design and build spacecrafts capable of landing humans on the moon for the agency’s Artemis program.

The other two companies selected by NASA for the Artemis program are Blue Origin of Kent, Washington, and Dynetics of Huntsville, Alabama, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela.

One of these three companies will carry the next person to the moon by 2024.

The three contracts are worth $967 million for a 10-month base period. Funding was allocated under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships.

“NASA’s selection of SpaceX for the development of human landing systems is great news for the South Texas economy,” Vela said. “This program will create local jobs as well as increase educational opportunities for students, scientists and researchers. I am committed to supporting SpaceX and fellow community leaders as we move forward with this exciting and transformative project.”